Michael Wynne’s New Play Clive to Premiere at Arcola Theatre This Summer

Two-Time Olivier Nominee Paul Keating Stars in Blackly Comic Look at Isolation and Technology

Acclaimed playwright Michael Wynne will debut his latest work, Clive, this summer at Arcola Theatre, directed by long-time collaborator Lucy Bailey and starring Paul Keating in the title role. The production runs from 30 July to 23 August 2025, with a press night on Friday 1 August at 7.30pm.

In this darkly humorous and intimate solo piece, Keating plays Thomas, a man who relishes the control and solitude of working from home—until his life starts to unravel. His only confidant is Clive, a giant houseplant with whom he shares his innermost thoughts. As work collapses and his isolation deepens, Thomas’s grip on reality frays, leaving him dependent on a very spiky companion.

A Comic Exploration of Loneliness in a Hyper-Connected World

Clive presents a compelling and timely portrait of a man navigating loneliness and disconnection in the digital age. As Thomas’s tech job falters and his social ties weaken, he turns to Clive, his larger-than-life cactus, for support. The play explores the blurred boundaries between reality and imagination, companionship and dependence, in a world where remote working promises freedom but can also foster alienation.

Michael Wynne, whose previous work includes The Priory (Olivier Award – Best Comedy), Cuckoo, and The Knocky (Meyer-Whitworth Award), said the play draws from “the tension between our need to feel emotional connection and our reliance on technology to do so.”

A Reunion for Keating and Bailey at Arcola

Clive reunites Paul Keating and Lucy Bailey, who previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed Kenny Morgan at Arcola Theatre. Keating’s performance in that production earned him a Best Male Performance nomination at The Offies and a win for Stage Performance of the Year at the Attitude Awards.

Keating is a two-time Olivier Award nominee, known for roles in Tommy, Closer to Heaven, Little Shop of Horrors, Tick, Tick… Boom!, The Wizard of Oz, and La Cava. His recent stage credits include Hector MacQueen in Bailey’s Murder on the Orient Express (UK tour).

Bailey, whose hit production of Witness for the Prosecution has run at London’s County Hall since 2017, is celebrated for her distinctive visual style and psychologically rich storytelling. Her past work includes Titus Andronicus (Shakespeare’s Globe), Baby Doll (National Theatre), and The Postman Always Rings Twice (West End). Her recent Murder on the Orient Express was seen by over 170,000 people in the UK and will tour internationally.

Creative Team

• Writer: Michael Wynne

• Director: Lucy Bailey

• Set and Costume Design: Bob Sterrett

• Lighting Design: Oliver McNally

• Sound Design: Andrew Johnson

• Composition: Haddon Kime

• Wigs and Hair Design: Diana Estrada Hudson

• Casting Director: Neil Rutherford

• Production Manager: James Anderton

• Producers: Excelsior Entertainment, Mercurius Theatre, and Steven M. Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions

Venue and Performance Details

• Venue: Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL

• Dates: 30 July – 23 August 2025

• Press Night: Friday 1 August at 7.30pm

• Performance Schedule:

  • Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm

  • Saturday matinees at 3.00pm

A Portrait of Isolation in the Age of Connection

Clive promises to be a sharp, poignant, and unexpectedly funny exploration of solitude and the human need for connection. With its singular perspective, standout performance from Paul Keating, and Wynne’s signature blend of wit and insight, this world premiere at the Arcola Theatre is a must-see event for the summer.